Ministry of Health Praises Ontario Chicken Farmers

“As chicken farmers, you represent the front lines in the fight against
avian influenza,” the Honourable Tony Clements remarked in his first
major speech as Canada’s Minister of Health during the Chicken Farmers
of Ontario annual meeting.

“As chicken farmers, you represent the front lines in the fight against avian influenza,” the Honourable Tony Clements remarked in his first major speech as Canada’s Minister of Health during the Chicken Farmers of Ontario annual meeting.

The Minister said that he is ‘impressed’ by the rigorous biosecurity measures implemented by the chicken producers in this country.  “You’ve been making good use of the lessons learned from British Columbia,” he said. 

During his tenure as provincial health minister, Clements said that the SARS epidemic in Toronto taught him “ nothing replaces planning.”

As federal health minister, Clements has made pandemic planning one of his key priorities.  He told attendees that Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have been working with international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor avian influenza. 

The Minister commended the Chicken Farmers of Ontario for collaborating with other industry and government to develop a public education program that addressed misconceptions amongst consumers and the media after the Poultry Show at the 2005 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was cancelled due to avian influenza concerns.

He said “Canada is recognized as a world leader in pandemic planning.  Our flu experts have been working on a national pandemic plan for more than 10 years.”  A pandemic plan drafted in 2004 is regarded by the WHO as a model for other countries to follow, he said.  An updated version was released in late spring.

In his concluding remarks, the Minister stated: “Unfortunately, it isn’t likely that we can prevent avian influenza from crossing our borders.  We can however enhance our ability to detect it and contain its spread.  Thank you for doing your part.”

Board Report
Director Henry Bos presented the Chicken Farmers of Ontario report.  He noted that chicken production in Ontario was 325.1 million kg eviscerated, representing a 1.7 per cent increase over 2004.

Bos explained that lower feed costs were the major factor contributing to the 2.5 per cent lower live price in 2005, which was 118.18 cents per kg. 

A significant milestone was achieved in 2005 with the implementation of the CFIA-recognized On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program (OFFSAP), which took effect in January of 2005.  Bos was pleased to report that Ontario producers backed the program and nearly 800 farms are now recognized as being OFFSAP certified.

Bos also announced that that in the spring of 2005 the Board, along with the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors and the Ontario Independent Poultry Processors reached a landmark agreement on a comprehensive new processor allocation system.  He said that this new system is designed to provide increased flexibility for both producers and processors, better positioning the industry to meet consumer needs.

Emergency Preparedness
Dr. John Churchill, Acting Senior Staff Veterinarian, Foreign Animal Diseases, CFIA said “we’ve learned so much and come so far.”
He showed slides on the euthanization and disposal of birds during the British Columbia outbreak, noting that disposal of birds will be a problem should avian influenza arrive in Canada.  He stated that from this outbreak, the CFIA has refined its response plans.  This has included more simulations, the formation of an AI working group, SOP’s, an improved laboratory network and recognizing that industry assistance is required during the formation and implementation of emergency response plans.

He indicated that early detection will be key to AI control.  “We’re really relying on producers for help in detecting the virus,” he said.

Dr. Francois Caya, Veterinary Program Specialist in Disease Control with the CFIA spoke of the need for surveillance.  Surveillance should include low-pathogenic AI (LPAI), since it has been demonstrated that it can evolve into a highly pathogenic form, he said.
“Canada needs an internationally recognized avian influenza surveillance program,” said Caya.

He said that while the EU has had an active surveillance program since 2004, Canada has only employed “passive observation.” Despite some apprehension on the part of industry and government, “international partners are requesting that we collect and provide surveillance data,” he added.

Still in the initial stages, Caya noted that our surveillance system must comply with OIE recommendations, be scientifically defensible, and address the biology of the disease.  The questions being addressed is how and where surveillance should
take place, either on-farm or at slaughter, and the public perception surrounding
this.

A Farmer’s Perspective
Director Bill Woods spoke of his experiences dealing with media questions regarding AI and biosecurity.  Mr. Woods was featured in a Globe and Mail article early in 2006. 

He said he is commonly asked: How are you dealing with AI?  Are you worried?  What about your personal safety? 
What does he say to media? As for personal safety, Woods said he is more worried about falling on ice walking to his barn than being in his barn. As for dealing with AI, he said is something beyond his control, and that he follows strict biosecurity protocols.  “If I suspect AI is in my barn, I’m keeping it in, and I will notify the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the CFIA immediately,” he said.  “And I ask that other producers do the same.”

What worries him most is the loss of consumer confidence. Economically, he said he will worry over having to cull his flock.  What about loss of production or income? “It is a worry, but I have faith that biosecurity measures and other farmers will work to contain the virus,” he said.